Best Sadowsky 4-String J-Basses 2026

Premium Sadowsky 4-string j-basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J Black

R&B Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J BlackElectric BassAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckMaple fretboardFretboard...

5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee NT MN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee NT MN

Session Work R&B Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may not suit all players
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky Metro Line 22-Fret Will Lee Artist Line Bass4-String Electric BassRight-handed versionScale: 34" (864...

4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO 59 Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO 59 Burst

Funk Jazz Pop
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may not suit all players
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO 59 Burst4-String Electric BassScale: 34" (864 mm)Bolt-on neckBody made of American...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CAR

Session Work Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may not suit all players
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAO

Jazz Session Work Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAOElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage DKLP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage DKLP

Jazz Session Work Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent note definition
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • String spacing may not suit all players

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage DKLPElectric BassBody: American alderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MoradoScale length:...

4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee NT

Session Work Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent note definition
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sadowsky Metro Line 22-Fret Will Lee Artist Line Bass4-String Electric BassRight-handed versionScale: 34" (864...

4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SIL

Jazz Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGR

Jazz R&B Session Work
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO SGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO SGM

Rock Session Work Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin MO SGM4-String Electric BassScale length: 34" (864 mm)Bolt-on neckBody made of...

4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J ´59 BR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J ´59 BR

R&B Jazz Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent note definition
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • String spacing may not suit all players

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin J/J ´59 BRElectric BassAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckMaple fretboardFretboard...

4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SIL

Session Work Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGR

Jazz Pop Session Work
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CH

Rock Funk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage OW

Pop R&B Session Work
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-4 Vintage OW4-String Electric BassScale length: 34" (864 mm)Bolt-on neckBody: American...

4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best 4-String J-Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string j-basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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